CEBU VISIT. Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar speaks to beat journalists' federation members in Cebu during a post-holiday gathering at the Adnama Building in Mandaue City, Jan. 13, 2019. (Photo by John Rey Saavedra)
CEBU CITY — Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar on Sunday thanked members of the Cebu media for their objective reporting, which he said, has contributed to the high approval rating of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“I’m here to thank you also for marching with the government in building this nation,” he said.
Andanar praised the members of media here for their dedication to the profession and understanding the meaning of public service.
He said his office exists to create a bridge between the government and the private media.
He mentioned the two policies of the Duterte administration that benefits the media, in general.
Andanar cited the creation of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) and the Freedom on Information (FOI) program as contributory factors in the improvement of the government media.
PTFoMS, headed by Executive Director Joel Sy Egco and co-chaired by Andanar and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, was created through President Rodrigo Duterte's Administrative Order No. 01, signed on Oct. 11, 2016.
“These two policies were attributed as the reason why the Philippines has been removed from the list of top 5 of most dangerous countries in the world for journalists,” Andanar said. “These (policies) are part of our confidence building measure.”
He also said he will continue to go around the country to meet with members of media organizations and tell them about the changes at the PCOO.
“I believe that my job requires me to at least inform you about the media infrastructure of government,” Andanar told newsmen who are members of a beat journalists' federation here.
He said Radyo Pilipinas and People’s Television have already gained upper hand in surveys.
He also mentioned about the personnel of the Public Information Office, who are now more dedicated in their engagement for the government’s ground communication.
“Most of you now use the Philippine News Agency more than you used it before,” Andanar said, adding that the state-run media organization’s new website now has 500,000 hits monthly, compared to 100,000 in the past.
He also said that reforms in the bureaucracy in the PCOO will continue. (PNA)
